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sdfcvoh · August 14th, 2007, 01:44

Took off at about 17:30 to fly N over PHX and onto Sedona tonight. Mother nature had other ideas!

I got off the ground just as it was getting nice n' gusty at RYN. A nice 20kt takeoff headwind. Come to think of it - would have been fun to practice a short or soft field just to watch the speeds. Anyway, I got up through PHX without any concerns, but it was building really nice up ahead the whole time. Eventually, about 50 miles N of PHX I gave up and decided to sit down at Payson - a cool field with some ups and downs on the runway. Talked with a cool guy flying for Native American Medical named Jason.

I figured I'd wait it out for a little while and then try for Sedona again. Unfortunately my better judgement got the best of me, and I decided that my first approach to Sedona would be better attacked during the day and in total VFR conditions. So.... I headed South.

Here's the lightning bit! Man - it was nutz up ahead. I got vectored all over the place over PHX by center, and there was lightning everywhere. I wish I'd had my video camera for that. Eventually I got within visual of RYN again and made it back with plenty of margin. Flight following totally rules.

Oh - one other bit. I was near Casa Grande at about 9500 and noticed landing lights that weren't moving. I kept waiting for them to divert, but they just kept getting closer and closer. I know when I finally dropped 1000 feet and went to the right it wasn't like we crossed within 100 feet or anything, but it was closer than I was comfortable with. So which one of you did it?!

I'll try for Sedona again tomorrow. Can't wait to experience that place. Thanks for reading!

August 14th, 2007, 01:44	#51
sdfcvoh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: That one Posts: 869	Holy Lightning Batman! Took off at about 17:30 to fly N over PHX and onto Sedona tonight. Mother nature had other ideas! I got off the ground just as it was getting nice n' gusty at RYN. A nice 20kt takeoff headwind. Come to think of it - would have been fun to practice a short or soft field just to watch the speeds. Anyway, I got up through PHX without any concerns, but it was building really nice up ahead the whole time. Eventually, about 50 miles N of PHX I gave up and decided to sit down at Payson - a cool field with some ups and downs on the runway. Talked with a cool guy flying for Native American Medical named Jason. I figured I'd wait it out for a little while and then try for Sedona again. Unfortunately my better judgement got the best of me, and I decided that my first approach to Sedona would be better attacked during the day and in total VFR conditions. So.... I headed South. Here's the lightning bit! Man - it was nutz up ahead. I got vectored all over the place over PHX by center, and there was lightning everywhere. I wish I'd had my video camera for that. Eventually I got within visual of RYN again and made it back with plenty of margin. Flight following totally rules. Oh - one other bit. I was near Casa Grande at about 9500 and noticed landing lights that weren't moving. I kept waiting for them to divert, but they just kept getting closer and closer. I know when I finally dropped 1000 feet and went to the right it wasn't like we crossed within 100 feet or anything, but it was closer than I was comfortable with. So which one of you did it?! I'll try for Sedona again tomorrow. Can't wait to experience that place. Thanks for reading! __________________ I want to die like my grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming in terror like his passengers.